Breastfeeding pics at centre of Facebook fuss

Regina-trained artist Kate Hansen seen beside one of her works, says images of breastfeeding portraits on her Facebook page have been removed by the social networking site. ((Submitted by Kate Hansen))

A Regina-trained artist says her Facebook page has been deleted by the company over images of women breastfeeding children taken from her works of art.

Kate Hansen — a visual artist in Courtenay, B.C. — says the problem began in April when the social networking site repeatedly removed breastfeeding art pictures from her page and sent her notes saying the images were not allowed.

"You uploaded a photo that violates our terms of use, and this photo has been removed," one message from Facebook sent to Hansen, said. "Facebook does not allow photos that attack an individual or group, or that contain nudity, drug use, violence, or other violations of the terms of use."

Hansen says the pictures she posted included images of her artwork of women breastfeeding.

She says she tried to contact the company about the matter, without success.

Kate Hansen says a few hours after she posted this picture to her Facebook page, her entire profile was removed. ((Submitted by Kate Hansen))

Hansen told CBC News that on Thursday, a few hours after she posted a photograph depicting her breastfeeding her child, her entire page was deleted.

"We're treading a thin line when we say art is obscene," Hansen told CBC News on Friday. "I think it is a dangerous line to cross when we start deleting art and we start saying art is obscene in our culture."

When word about what happened spread, a new Facebook group sprung up to support Hansen.

Bring Kate Hansen Back was still available on the Facebook site as of Friday afternoon, and had more than 1,000 members.

CBC News sought comment from the company on Friday but there was no immediate response.